Trump's State of the Union address failed to make children, health care priority (letter)

Jackson, 11, and Henry, 9, have made dozens of trips to Capitol Hill and Harrisburg to ask senators for help to make sure they don't lose their health care.
Lindsey Welling, The Evening Sun

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Anna Corbin sits between her two sons, Jackson (left) and Henry (right), as they play with their dog, Eloise, inside their Hanover home. Henry, 9, and Jackson, 11, both have Noonan syndrome - a genetic disorder that affects various systems of the body -- and both boys have been active in lobbying against potential cuts to Medicaid.(Photo: Dan Rainville, The Evening Sun)Buy Photo

On Jan. 30, 2018, I attended the State of the Union address as the guest of Sen. Bob Casey. I was chosen because I am the mother of two children who receive Medicaid. My sons, Jackson and Henry, have Noonan Syndrome. Despite having a primary insurance through my husband’s employer, the cost of the boys’ care is so high we are forced to rely on Medicaid to pay for the health care expenses that our insurance does not cover.

When Sen. Casey’s office called to extend the invitation to the State of the Union, I had a mixed reaction. My family has been fighting the current GOP administration’s health care attacks for over a year. I had not planned to watch the speech and had certainly not considered being in the audience. However, I knew my presence would amplify voices of families like mine, so I accepted.

On a personal level, it was incredible. My husband and I spent the day with Sen. Casey doing press events. As always, Sen. Casey and his staff were kind and accommodating. Before the speech, Sen. Casey took me to the Secretary of the Senate dinner, where we ate and mingled with other senators. It was an experience I will never forget. After dinner, we entered the House chamber.

Enough commentary has been given on the president’s address for everyone to have made their own judgement by now. I was not particularly surprised by anything the president said. I expected divisiveness and a nationalistic tone, and that is what was delivered.

One of the most difficult moments of the speech for me was when the president spoke of Preston Sharp, a child from California who started a movement that placed flags on the graves of veterans. As a mother of children who are politically involved, I admire the ambition of young Preston. However, after recognizing his 12-year-old guest, President Trump said, “Americans love their country. And they deserve a government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return.”

Upon hearing those words, I began to weep. I thought of my own 12-year-old. My oldest son, Jackson, has been front and center of the health care battle. He has attended meetings with senators and representatives. He has given speeches on Capitol Hill. He has spoken out for children all across the country who, like him, have complex medical needs. He - and all of those children - also deserve a government that shows them love and loyalty.

Instead, these children have a government that is attacking them at every turn. Their government attempts to erase the protections afforded to them by the ACA. Their government attempts to cut Medicaid programs that keep their families from bankruptcy. Their government ignores their cries.

I sat in the audience of the State of the Union as the mother of two Medicaid recipients, waiting for a message from my president. However, other than Preston, the president did not mention children. Or people with disabilities. Or Medicaid. He did not discuss health care or reassure Americans that Medicaid and Medicare will be safe in the coming year. In his address, President Trump made his priorities clear, and those priorities are not the children of this country or the disabled community.

During the State of the Union address, President Trump turned his back on the people I love.

My seat at the State of the Union was in the front row in the center of the gallery, directly facing the president’s podium. When his speech ended, President Trump descended into the crowd. I knew that he would be heading directly underneath where I was standing. Instead of watching President Trump exit the building, waving and smiling victoriously, I did to him what he has done to me. I did to him what he has done to Jackson and Henry. I did to him what he has done to so many in our country.

I turned my back.

That does not mean I have turned my back on my country. I love the United States. I love that there was a time when we welcomed immigrants and valued the future of our children. I love that there was a time when the goal was to give people health care, rather than take it away. I love that there was a time when our presidents acted with decorum and respected others.

I plan to devote the next few years to ensuring that America remembers the hope we once had for our country. I want us to remember the dreams we had to open our arms to everyone, protect our children, and care for our sick. I know that with compassionate leaders like Sen. Bob Casey, we can. Together, we can and will move forward to accomplish these goals.

Then, and only then, will America truly be great.

Anna Corbin lives in Hanover and is mom to Jackson, 12, and Henry, 9. Anna, Jackson and Henry are health care activists and recipients of Pennsylvania Health Access Network’s 2017 Unsung Hero Award. You can follow them on Twitter @annabanana0626 or on Facebook: Coasting In On Fumes.